Sidenote: Mr. Thompson.[11]]

DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _Tuesday, 15th December, 1840._

MY DEAR THOMPSON,

I have received a most flattering message from the head turnkey of the
jail this morning, intimating that "there warn't a genelman in all
London he'd be gladder to show his babies to, than Muster Dickins, and
let him come wenever he would to that shop he wos welcome." But as the
Governor (who is a very nice fellow and a gentleman) is not at home this
morning, and furthermore as the morning itself has rather gone out of
town in respect of its poetical allurements, I think we had best
postpone our visit for a day or two.

Faithfully yours.

FOOTNOTES:

[9] Mr. Adams, the Hon. Secretary of the Chatham Mechanics' Institute,
which office he held for many years.

[10] "The Kentish Coronal."

[11] An intimate friend.

1841.

[Sidenote: Rev. Thomas Robinson.[12]]

1, DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, YORK GATE, REGENT'S PARK,
_Thursday, April 8th, 1841._

DEAR SIR,

I am much obliged to you for your interesting letter. Nor am I the less
pleased to receive it, by reason that I cannot find it in my conscience
to agree in many important respects with the body to which you belong.

In the love of virtue and hatred of vice, in the detestation of cruelty
and encouragement of gentleness and mercy, all men who endeavour to be
acceptable to their Creator in any way, may freely agree. There are more
roads to Heaven, I am inclined to think, than any sect believes; but
there can be none which have not these flowers garnishing the way.

I feel it a great tribute, therefore, to receive your letter. It is most
welcome and acceptable to me. I thank you for it heartily, and am proud
of the approval of one who suffered in his youth, even more than my poor
child.

While you teach in your walk of life the lessons of tenderness you have
learnt in sorrow, trust me that in mine, I will pursue cruelty and
oppression, the enemies of all God's creatures of all codes and creeds,
so long as I have the energy of thought and the power of giving it
utterance.

Faithfully yours.

[Sidenote: The Countess of Blessington.]

[13]DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _June 2nd, 1841._

DEAR LADY BLESSINGTON,

The year goes round so fast, that when anythi